Supporting Infants and Toddlers Through a Parent's Deployment

Military Children Have Unique Needs

Supporting the children of our military personnel has always been near and dear to my heart, having been raised in a military family. Various resources exist in print and online for school-aged kids and teens, but there hasn't been a wealth of information available for the youngest that are left behind when a parent is deployed.

The Youngest Ones on the Homefront are Often Overlooked

As a clinician that provides support and guidance to programs for Infant and Maternal Mental Health, my mind always wandered to the smallest ones impacted by parental absence. This group of young children is often overlooked. They don't yet have the words to tell us how they feel, yet they feel nevertheless. We know that any child that is old enough to experience love is also old enough to experience loss. We also know that infants and young children are greatly impacted by their environment and by the emotional well-being (as well as stress) of those who care for them.

New Resources Specifically Geared for Young Children

Now, Zero to Three has developed some fabulous resources to help the youngest of the young that are left behind when a parent is deployed. Perhaps you are not in a military family, but chances are you know someone who is. I urge you to share this information with them.

It's difficult to think about how all of these issues impact young children, and it's easy to think that they don't take much notice of all the changes around them. The truth is, they do. The above resources can help.

When we know how to best support young children, we can lessen the impact that big changes have on them, and we can also support their growth and development.

More Great Resources that Support Young Children

If you are looking for more resources to support your young child's optimal cognitive and emotional growth, you must visit and become familiar with all of the wonderful work that Deborah McNelis at Braininsights is involved with. Braininsights has wonderful Activity Packets that help busy parents engage their tots in fun and educational ways!